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Everyone likes a good deal. That's why hostels are at the heart of travel today, contributing nearly $1.4 billion to annual tourism revenue worldwide. Hostelling International, a nonprofit network that began in a German schoolhouse in 1909, annually provides 35 million overnights and is the industry benchmark.
HI hostels are a best-kept travel secret. HI's blue triangle logo is associated with exceptional service, cleanliness, and security--quality standards achieved at more than 4,000 hostels in 60 countries. We have grown from a key player in the youth market to a budget travel leader with a diverse guest profile: 40 percent of our 46,000 U.S. members are 20-25 years old, 20 percent are 26-34 years old, and 10 percent are seniors 55 and older.
HI is more than a good night's sleep at a great price. As a nonprofit dedicated to promoting intercultural understanding, HI opens minds to the world, one person at a time.
PRESS RELEASES
Subscribe to the RSS feed of HI-USA Golden Gate Council press releases.
June 19, 2008
"Adventures in Hostelling" Writing Contest seeks short personal stories
June 2, 2008
Redwood National Park Hostel introduces summer Sea-Kayaking Package
Hi-res photo 1: Redwood Hostel (H). Photo by Cheri M. Larsh.
Hi-res photo 1: Redwood Hostel (H). Photo by Cheri M. Larsh.
Hi-res photo 2: Pacific Ocean view from Redwood Hostel (H). Photo by Cheri M. Larsh.
Hi-res photo 3: Kayaking on Trinidad Cove (H). Photo by Marna Powell.
Hi-res photo 4: Kayaking on Big Lagoon (H). Photo by Marna Powell.
May 8, 2008
Redwood National Park Hostel ranked #1 worldwide by HIHostels.com users
Hi-res photo 2: Point Montara Lighthouse Hostel (H). Photo by Cheri M. Larsh.
Hi-res photo 3: Pigeon Point Lighthouse Hostel (H). Photo by Cheri M. Larsh.
Hi-res photo 4: Sacramento Hostel (H). Photo by Cheri M. Larsh.
April 2, 2008
"Community Walls" Art Reception at Redwood Hostel: Thursday, April 10, 2008
Hi-res photo 2: Community Walls mural panel (V). 
Hi-res photo 3: Community Walls mural panel (V).
Hi-res photo 4: Community Walls mural panel (V).
December 3, 2007
Sacramento Hostel offers Half-Price Winter Weekends: Stay Friday night, get Saturday night free
Hi-res photo 2: Sacramento Hostel veranda (H). Photo by Cheri M. Larsh.
Hi-res photo 3: Sacramento Hostel sitting room (H). Photo by Cheri M. Larsh.
Hi-res photo 4: Sacramento Hostel dining room (V). Photo by Cheri M. Larsh.
October 16, 2007
Point Montara Lighthouse and Point Reyes hostels announce Weeknight Winter Specials: Stay one night, get half-off the second night
Hi-res photo 2: Point Montara Lighthouse Hostel (H). Photo by Cheri M. Larsh.
Hi-res photo 3: Point Montara Lighthouse Hostel (V). Photo by Cheri M. Larsh.
Hi-res photo 4: Point Montara Lighthouse (H). Photo by Cheri M. Larsh.
Hi-res photo 1: Point Reyes Hostel main house (H). Photo by Cheri M. Larsh.
Hi-res photo 2: Point Reyes Hostel main house (H). Photo by Cheri M. Larsh.
Hi-res photo 3: Point Reyes Hostel bunkhouse (H). Photo by Cheri M. Larsh.
Hi-res photo 4: Point Reyes Hostel main house common room (H). Photo by Cheri M. Larsh.
October 3, 2007
Point Reyes Hostel becomes Bay Area Green Business
August 20, 2007
Pigeon Point Lighthouse Hostel celebrates with free, all-ages 25th Anniversary Festival
Hi-res photo 2: Pigeon Point Lighthouse Hostel (V). Photo by Cheri M. Larsh.
Hi-res photo 3: Pigeon Point Lighthouse Hostel (H). Photo by Cheri M. Larsh.
Hi-res photo 4: Pigeon Point Lighthouse Hostel (V). Photo by Cheri M. Larsh.Subscribe to the RSS feed of HI-USA Golden Gate Council press releases.
MEDIA SUMMARY
Hostelling International USA, Golden Gate Council (nationally registered as Golden Gate Council of American Youth Hostels, Inc.) is a nonprofit network of 10 hostels in scenic Northern California, that hosted nearly 200,000 overnights in FYE '06--more than 20 percent of HI's total U.S. overnights.
The Golden Gate Council has provided top-quality budget accommodations to travelers since it was founded in 1958 by a team of volunteers (visit About Us for a complete timeline). The Council is one of 31 regional HI affiliates providing affordable accommodations and educational programs across the United States. Hostelling International is the global brand for the International Youth Hostel Federation and its 60 member countries, including HI-USA.
From stately lighthouses to National Parks, busy city centers to remote coastal locales, the Council's hostel network is unmatched anywhere in the United States, and hosts travelers of all ages, cultures, and backgrounds, including individuals, families, and groups.
As a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization, the Council is dedicated to promoting intercultural understanding, environmental stewardship, and world peace through travel (visit About Us for our mission and vision statements). HI hostels are not just places to stay, but also places to foster a stronger global community and to educate youth.
HI's mission of promoting intercultural understanding through travel has never been more important. As part of a network that extends to nearly every region of the world, the Golden Gate Council is working even harder to provide safe places for travelers to meet each other, see new places, and experience other cultures.
Download the 2007 HI-USA Golden Gate Council Annual Report (PDF, 2.87 MB).
CONTACT
Media contact
Molly Mitoma
Marketing and Communications Manager
(415) 863-1444 ext. 313
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Please contact Ms. Mitoma for details about our 10 hostels, to schedule an interview with a spokesperson, to receive high-quality photos, to arrange for a tour or overnight stay, or for any other media requests.
Media spokespeople
Barbara Wein
Executive Director
Topics: Mission, History, Governance, Finance
(415) 863-1444 ext. 311
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Barbara Wein has led HI-USA Golden Gate Council for more than 20 years. Under her leadership the network has opened four new hostels, doubled its annual number of overnights to nearly 200,000, and created the Hostel Adventure Program to serve inner-city youth. The Council's $5 million annual budget, 100 employees, and high guest satisfaction ratings places it among the top HI-USA affiliates. Ms. Wein also serves on numerous HI-USA taskforces to strengthen and improve the national organization’s financial health, quality assurance standards, and innovative programs.
Jeanne Comaskey
Director of San Francisco Operations
Topics: Trends and Analysis, Marketplace Competition, Quality Assurance
(415) 771-7277 ext. 71
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Jeanne Comaskey was promoted to direct San Francisco operations in April 2001, at a time when the Council's two San Francisco hostels generated more than half of the organization's annual revenue and consistently experienced occupancy rates of 90 percent or higher. In August 2001, the Council opened its third San Francisco hostel, creating a single-market budget accommodations network with one of the highest capacities in the country. Then, a mere four weeks later, 9/11 changed the industry drastically. Since then, Ms. Comaskey has leveraged 20 years of lodging experience to streamline operations, offset losses, and steadily bring overnights back to pre-9/11 levels.
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